Mixing valve and replaceable valve cartridge therefor

ABSTRACT

A mixing valve having two parallel valve assemblies including valve inlet seals, valve elements engageable with the inlet seals, sealing diaphragms and one or more common outlet ports all incorporated in a single replaceable valve cartridge secured between a base and a journal ball or journal socket; the assemblies further including cam followers extending through the journal ball or protruding into the journal socket; either the journal socket or ball cooperating with a complementary member having cam areas movable across said cam followers to effect operation of either valve assembly or both assemblies in concert or in opposition. The mixing valve and replaceable valve cartridge also including modifications wherein the axes of the valve assemblies are angularly related preferably at 120* to improve operation of the control handle and to provide space in the removable valve cartridge for a diverter valve, and the axes of each valve assembly and cam follower are radially offset to minimize the dimensions of the mixing valve.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Lloyd Spencer 220 Patrician Way,Pasadena, Calif. 91105 [21] Appl. No. 814,990 [22] Filed Apr. 10; 1969[45] Patented June 29, 1971 Continuatiou-in-part of application Ser. No.491.771, Sept. 30, 1965. now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-partof application Ser. No. 359,392, Apr. 13, 1964. now abandoned.

[54] MIXING VALVE AND REPLACEABLE VALVE CARTRIDGE THEREFOR 2 l C 'laims, 25 Drawing Figs.

[52} U.S.Cl 137/119, 137/454.6, 137/625.4, 137/6363. 251/172 [51] lnt.ClFl6k 11/04 [50] Field of Search 137/4542, 454.6, 636.4, 607.6363.625.41, 636.1, 636.2, 1 19 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,792,847 5/1957 Spencer 137/6362 fiili l4 k n Primary Examiner- HaroldW. Weakley ABSTRACT: A mixing valve having two parallel valve assem- Iblies including valve inlet seals, valve elements engageable with theinlet seals, sealing diaphragms and one or more common outlet ports allincorporated in a single replaceable valve cartridge secured between abase and a journal ball or journal socket; the assemblies furtherincluding cam followers extending through the journal ball or protrudinginto the journal socket; either the journal socket or ball cooperatingwith a complementaryv member having cam areas movable across said camfollowers to effect operation of either valve assembly or bothassemblies in concert or in opposition.

The mixing valve and replaceable valve cartridge also ineludingmodifications wherein the axes of the valve assemblies are angularlyrelated preferably at 120 to improve operation of the control handle andto provide space in the removable valve cartridge for a diverter valve,and the axes of each valve assembly and cam follower are radially offsetto minimize the dimensions of the mixing valve.

PATENTED JUN29 lsn sum 1 OF 4 INVENTOR.

MIXING VALVE AND REPLACEABLE VALVE CARTRIDGE THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my previousapplication, Ser. No. 491,771, filed Sept. 30, 1965 for REPLACEABLEVALVE UNIT; now abandoned, which, in turn is a continuation-in-part ofmy previous applications, Ser. No. 359,392, filed Apr. 13, 1964, forMIXING VALVE, now abandoned.

Also, the present application is related to the copending application,Ser. No. 814,991, filed Apr. 10, 1969 for ACTUA- TOR FOR MIXING VALVES.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is summarized in the followingobjects:

First, to provide a mixing valve for hot and cold water whichincorporates a novelly arranged replaceable valve cartridge whichcontains the valve armatures and valve seats of both the hot and coldwater and forms the mixing chamber therefor, the valve unit beingsealingly mounted in the valve body in such a manner that except for anoutlet to a discharge spout, the water is confined to the interior ofthe replaceable valve cartridge.

Second, to provide a replaceable valve cartridge of this type in whichthe valve seats are movable against water pressure during the finalclosing movement of the valve armature, and wherein each valve armaturewhen released is forced open by water pressure and offers minimalresistance so that the mixing valve operates under conditions of minimalwater pressure.

Third, to provide in a replaceable valve cartridge a valve seat whichdoes not close on first contact by the valve armature but requires apredetermined axial closing movement before full closure is effected;thereby to minimize transient pressure surges incidental to suddenclosure.

Fourth, to provide a hot and cold water mixing valve and dual valve unittherefor, wherein the valve assemblies are mounted in a valve bodyconnected by a neck joined to a journal ball and are operated by camfollowers extending through said journal ball on which is mounted asocket structure having cam areas movable across the cam followers, theaxes of the cam followers being radially outwardly offset with respectto the axes of the valve assemblies to minimize the area occupied by theconnecting neck, thereby minimizing the size of the mixing valve.

Fifth, to provide a hot and cold water mixing valve and a dual valveunit therefor, wherein the valve assemblies are arranged at less than180 displacement from a common center thereby to increase, withoutincreasing the overall size, the

space available for auxiliary mechanism such as diverter valves.

Sixth, to provide a hot and cold water mixing valve and replaceable dualvalve cartridge therefor which is secured in place by a single screwextending through the valve unit and opposed clamping and sealingelements forming parts of the mixing valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalview of one form of mixing valve such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,792,847 and 3,384,121, showing in elevation one embodiment of thereplaceable valve cartridge.

FIG. 2 is another enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken atright angles to FIG. 1 and showing the replaceable valve cartridge insection.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial plan, partial sectional view of thereplaceable valve cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken through 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged sectional view, corresponding to the regionwithin circle 5 of FIG. 4, but showing a modified form of valve seat.

FIG. 6 is'a fragmentary bottom view of the replaceable valve cartridge,showing the modified valve seat.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a modified mixing valve.

FIG. 8 is a reduced bottom view thereof, showing the means for mountingthe mixing valve on a sink ledge, the ledge being shown fragmentarily.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken from the same aspect as FIG. 7,showing a modified replaceable valve cartridge and other elements inelevation.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, with the control handlestructure removed.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken through11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thereof, taken through12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged top view of the modified replaceable valvecartridge.

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view, taken from 14-14 of FIG. 11 withthe valve members removed, showing the bottom side of the mixing chamberand the valve seats.

FIG. 15 is a transverse sectional view,-taken from 15-15 of FIG. 11,showing the top side of the mixing chamber.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the socket structure.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatical view indicating the contours of the camareas.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 9,showing a modified socket structure and corresponding modified locationof the axes of the valve assemblies.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the modified socket structure.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a further modified replaceable valvecartridge.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view thereof, with each of the parts shown inplan.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view, showing amixing valve modified to receive the replacement cartridge illustratedin FIGS. 20 and 21, with the control handle structure omitted.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view thereof,taken through 23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a transverse sectional view of the furthen modifiedreplaceable valve cartridge, taken through 24-24 of- FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is another transverse sectional view, taken through 25-25 ofFIG. 23.

Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1 through 6. The construction hereillustrated includes avalve body 1, shown fragmentarily in FIGS. 1 and2, and having an axially directed pair of inlets 2 and 3 for hot andcold water, and a common outlet 4 for mixed water, all intersecting thebase end of a cylindrical socket 5.

The outer portion of the socket 5 is internally screwthreaded to receivea retainer ring 6, having an inturned flange 7, forming a journalopening 8. The base portion of the socket 5 receives a replaceable valveunit or cartridge 9 in the form of a flat-cylinder clamped in place by aretainer member 10, engaged by the retainer ring 6.

The retainer member 10 is provided with an outwardly facing journalsocket 11 of spherical contour. .Iournaled between the socket 11 and themargins of the opening 8 is a cam ball 12, similar to the cam ball shownin my previous US. Pat. No. 3,384,121. As more fully disclosed in thispatent, the cam ball 12 and its socket 11 are provided with a key andslot means 13 to limit movement to two axes; that is, rotation about theaxis of the handle is prevented.

Also, as shown more fully in the aforementioned patent, a three lobe camshoulder 14 which engages the flange 7, confines movement of the camball to an essentially triangular configuration.

The replaceable valve cartridge 9 is provided with apair of discs 15 and16, having complementary abutting flanges 17 to form a valve chamber 18.The discs are encased by a pair of gaskets l9 and 20. The bottom gasketis provided with a pair of yieldable valve seats 21, aligned with thepair of inlets 2 and 3. The valve seats project upwardly throughopenings 22 in the disc 15. The gasket is also provided with a pairofseal skirts 23 which project into the inlets 2 and 3. The flanges arecoaxial with and larger than the valve seats 21 so as to provide axiallydeformable shoulders 24.

The gasket 19 is also provided with a third seal skirt 25, fitting theoutlet 4 and aligning with a mating opening 26 in the disc and itsgasket 19.

The disc 16 is provided with openings 27 which align with the valve seatopenings 22. The gasket is provided with a pair of apertures 28, havingenlarged margins and disposed in axial alignment with the valve seats21. The apertures 28 are surrounded by diaphragms 29 of normally conicalshape which fit the openings 27.

Fitted between each seat 21 and the corresponding aperture 28 is a valvemember 30, having a conical end 31 which engages the seat 21. Each valvemember is provided with a stem 32 which extends through thecorresponding aperture 28 and receives a stem cap 33, the extremity ofwhich is spherically curved to form a cam follower tip 34. The marginsof each aperture are clamped and sealed by the corresponding valvemember 30 and stem cap 33.

The cam followers engage cam areas 35 on the cam ball 12 which areessentially triangular corresponding to the permitted movement of thecam ball. As more fully disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No.3,384,121, the cam areas are contoured to cause individual movement,concerted movement or opposed movement of the cam followers so as toefiect corresponding movement of the valve members relative to theirvalve seats.

By reason of the yieldable shoulders 24, the valve seats are axiallydepressed during final closing movement of the valve member so that thevalve seat is actually held in its closed condition by the force of thewater acting on the shoulder 24. As a result, the force against thevalve seat is not sufficient to damage the seat even ifa particle shouldlodge therein. In such a case, subsequent opening of the valve washesthe particle free. Also, the axial travel of the valve seat compensatesfor tolerance variations between the cam followers 34 and the valve seatengaging region of the valve member 30.

In some installations, it is desirable to enlarge the opening 22 in thedisc 19 to permit limited upward flexure of the valve seat 21 inresponse to upstream water pressure as the valve member 30 approachesthe valve seat, as shown in FIG. 5. If this limited flexure ispermitted, it is desirable to provide an axial rib 36 upstream of thevalve seat so that, initially, complete closure does not occur, thusavoiding a pressure surge which might produce a water banner. Sufficienttravel of the valve member 'after first contact is provided to ensurecomplete closure. A similar effect is attained if the valve seat isdisposed at a slight angle so that one side is engaged first and contactprogresses to the opposite side.

It will be observed that the water is confined to the interior of thecartridge 9; also, when the cartridge is in place, at least the marginsof the gaskets 19 and 20 are engaged to form seals. To replace thecartridge 9, it is merely necessary to unscrew the retainer ring 6.Also, it will be noted that the diaphragms 29 form effective seals sothat the control cam and adjacent parts are outside the water path.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 7 through 19. The mixing valve hereillustrated is particularly adapted for control by the actuator shown inthe copending application, Ser. No. 8l4,99l,filed Apr. I0, 1969 A basemember 37 is provided, having a depending portion 38 dimensioned toextend through an aperture 39 provided in the margin of a sink 40. Thebase member is provided with a flanged upper end 41 which rests on themargins of the aperture 39. Near its lower extremity, the dependingportion is provided with an annular groove 42, which receives a C-shaped retainer 43, equipped with screws 44 which bear against theunderside of the sink margin to clamp the base member 37 in place. Thebase member is provided with a cold water passage 45 and hot waterpassage 46 located at approximately 120 with respect to the axis of thebase member.

Mounted on the base member 37, designated 47, is a modified form of thereplaceable valve unit or cartridge 9, which will be later described indetail. Mounted on the cartridge 47 is a journal ball 48, which includesa bottom component 49 and a top component 50. A single bolt 51 extendsdownwardly through the journal ball 48 and replaceable valve cartridge47 and screw threads into the base member 37. Retained on the journalball 48 is a socket structure 52, which is provided with a controlhandle 53, shown fragmentarily.

As more fully disclosed in the copending application, Ser. No. 814,991,filed Apr. l0, 1969, the socket structure 52 includes an inner socketmember 54 of greater than hemispherical extent, the periphery of whichis provided with slits 54a so that the inner socket member may be forcedover the journal ball 48. The inner socket member is retained on thejournal ball by an outer socket member 55 which prevents the margin ofthe inner socket from spreading. A single screw 56 secures the socketmembers together.

The inner socket member is provided with a pair of cams 54b, ofessentially triangular shape, each having pieces A, B and C. The camsare engaged by cam followers which control valve assemblies within thereplaceable cartridge 47 as will be later described. Between A and B,each cam has zero slope; that is, it is concentric with the center ofthe journal ball, as indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 17. Between Band C, as well as between A and C, the cam slopes or curves radiallyoutward toward C. Intermediate portions of the cams vary in depthproportionally. Also, the inner socket member 54 is provided with a key57, and the journal ball 48 is provided with a key slot 58 to confinethe socket structure to two axes of movement. Still further, the marginof the socket structure 52 forms a three lobe stop cam 59.

The lower end of the bottom component 49 of the journal ball 48 isprovided with a constricted cylindrical portion 60, forming a shoulder61 with the spherical portion of the bottom component. The upper end ofthe replaceable valve cartridge 47 is provided with a shallow recess 62which receives the lower extremity of the cylindrical portion 60 and,surrounding the recess, forms a shoulder 63, confronting the shoulder61.

The replaceable valve cartridge 47 and the upper end of the base member37 is enclosed in a hub structure 64, having an internal flange 65fitting between the shoulders 61 and 63. The flange 65 may be clampedbetween the shoulders 61 and 63 or may by permitted to rotatetherebetween. The upper side of the flange 65 forms a stop shoulderwhich is engaged by the three lobe stop cam 58 to confine the movementof the socket structure to the limits of the cams. A discharge spout 66,shown fragmentarily, extends from the hub structure.

The replaceable valve cartridge 47 includes a circular bottom gasket 67formed of an elastomer and provided with a pair of upwardly facing valveseats 68 displaced 120 with respect to the axis of the gasket to alignrespectively with the hot and cold water passages 45 and 46. The upperends of the passages are enlarged so as to expose a ring of the gasketsurrounding each valve seat to upstream water pressure. The bottomgasket is provided with basses 69 which fit into mating recesses toorient the bottom gasket with respect to the base member 37 as well as acentral opening to receive the bolt 51.

Received on top of the bottom gasket 67 is a bottom valve guide disc 70,having perforations which receive flanged retaining lugs 71 projectingupwardly from the bottom gasket in order to secure and orient the discwith respect to the bottom gasket. The valve guide disc is provided witha central boss 72 which receives a tie sleeve 73 which receives the bolt51. Near its outer periphery, the disc is provided with a rim 74 havingslots 75. Relatively displaced with respect to the axis of the disc anddisposed between the boss 72 and rim 74 is a pair of apertures whichreceive the valve seats 68. The apertures are smaller than the upperends of the passages 45 and 46 and their margins serve to limit upwarddisplacement of the valve seats in response to upstream water pressure.

The boss 72 and rim 74 are provided with opposed and spaced valve guideribs 76 and 77, forming confronting faces extending upwardly from thevalve seat apertures and defining guide cylinders. Outwardly from therim 74, the disc 70 is provided with a circular, upwardly extending,seal lip 78. The valve guide disc 70 is preferably injection molded froma plastic material having sufficient elastomeric properties that therelatively thin lip 78 sealingly engages the confronting inner wall ofthe hub structure, as indicated in FIG. 9.

Fitted on the bottom valve guide disc 70 is an intermediate disc 79,having a ring of shallow recesses 80 to receive the upper portions ofthe rim 74 disposed between the slots 75, The disc 79 is provided with acentral aperture to receive the tie sleeve 73 and clearance aperturesaligned with the valve seats 68. I Fitted on the intermediate disc 79 isan upper gasket 81, having flanged retainer bosses 82 received in matingopenings in the disc 79 and a central aperture to receive the tie sleeve73. The upper gasket is also provided with a pair of rollingdiaphragms83, terminating in integral restricted seal rings 84.

A pair of valve members 85 is provided. Each valve member includes ahead 86, guided between a corresponding pair of ribs 76 and 77 andhaving a conical seal face 87 engageable with a corresponding valve seat68. A stem 88 extends upwardly from the head 86 and is provided adjacentthe head with a groove which receives a seal ring 84.

Fitted on the upper gasket 81 is an upper disc 89, having depressions toreceive positioning bosses 90a projecting upwardly from the upper gasket81. The upper disc forms the upper end of the replaceable cartridge 47and is provided with the recess 62 and shoulder 63. Also, the upper discis provided with a central opening which receives the upper end of thetie sleeve 73. The tie sleeve is a hollow rivet with expanded ends 90and 91, which serve to clamp the discs 70, 79 and89 as well as the uppergasket 81 together. The upper disc is provided with valve stem guideapertures 92, the lower ends of which are enlarged, as indicated by 93,to receive the rolling diaphragms 83. At its periphery, the upper disc89 is provided with a downwardly directed flexible seal lip 94.

The confronting sides of the bottom disc 70 and intermediate disc 79between the central boss 72 and rim 74 define a primary mixing chamberfrom which water discharges through the slots 75. The opposed flexibleseal lips 78 and 94 and the intervening walls of the replaceablecartridge and hub structure 64 define a secondary mixing chambercommunicating with the discharge spout 66.

The recess 62 in the upper side of the upper disc 89 is provided with adepression which receives an orientation boss extending from the lowerend of the bottom component 49 of the journal ball 48. The upper side ofthe bottom component is recessed and provided in its recess with adepression which receives respectively a cylindrical extension 95 andorientation boss 96, provided at the underside of the top component 50of the journal ball 48.

The upper ends of the valve stems, which are displaced 120 with respectto the axis of the replaceable cartridge, are received in clearancerecesses 95 provided in the bottom component 49 of the journal ball 48.The stem axes also align with small bores extending through the bottomcomponent which receive push pins 97. The top component 50 of thejournal ball 48 is provided with bores of larger diameter than the pushpin bores which receive cam followers 98 in the form of rods havinghemispherical tips to be engaged by the cams 5417 provided in the innersocket member 54.

It will be noted that, by reason of the valve assemblies displaced to120, or approximately so, rather than 180 that the locations of the camareas 54b with respect to the key 57 is improved. More particularly, bysetting of the axes forward; that is, to the left as viewed in FIGS. 7,9, 10 and 16, the key 57 and slot 58 may be located at the backside of asink mounted mixing valve where the slot 58 is not visible and yetprovides nearly an optimum 90 relation between a radial plane throughthe center points of the cam areas and a radial line through the axis ofthe key 57, as indicated by X in FIG. 9. If the valve be wall mounted,which would expose the slot 58 at the upper side of the valve, or forother reason the slot need be concealed, the valve assemblies may beoffset rearwardly or to the right, as indicated in FIGS. 18 and 19,permitting the slot 58 to be confined within the socket structures forall positions of the mixing valve.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 20 through 25. This constructiondiffers from the preceding mixing valve principally in the use of areplaceable cartridge 99, which incorporates a diverter valve inaddition to the hot and cold water valve assemblies.

As in thepreceding mixing valve, the further modified mixing valveincludes a base member 37 which differs in the addition of a diverterpassage 100. The cold water passage 45, hot water passage 46 and thediverter passages are 120 related with respect to the axis of the basemember. In order to minimize the diameter of the depending portion 38,the passages 45, 46 and 100 intersect respectively radially inwardlyoffset passages 45a, 46a and 1000, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

The mixing valve shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 utilizes the journal ball 48and the central bolt 51. The replaceable cartridge 99 is encased in ahub structure 64a, similar to the hub struc ture 64, and including theinwardly extending flange 65, and a discharge spout 66.

The replaceable'valve cartridge 99 includes a bottom gasket 101 on whichis mounted a bottom or valve seat disc 102. The disc 102 is providedwith hot and cold water ports 103 which are expanded at their upper endsand a diverter valve receiving cylinder 104, having an inturned flange105 at its lower end. The bottom gasket 101 is provided with upwardlydirected sleeves 106 which line the ports 103 and are provided attheir'upper ends with yieldable radially inwardly extending flanges orshoulders 107 and upwardly directed valve seats 108. The bottom gasket101 is also provided with a flanged boss 109 received in the cylinder104 and retained by the flange 105.

As in the construction shown in FIGS. 7 through 19, the axes of the hotand cold water ports 103, sleeves 107 and valve seats 108 are displacedfrom each other 120 with respect to the central axis of the bottomgasket and inlet port disc 1021 The axis of the cylinder 104 isdisplaced 120 from the two ports 103 and related parts.

The bottom disc 102 is provided with a central bore which receives thelower end of a tie sleeve 110, similar to the tie sleeve 73. A valvechamber disc 111 is provided, having a central bore which receives thetie sleeve. The upper periphery of the disc 102 is reduced slightly, andthe disc 111 axially overlaps the reduced periphery, and is providedwith an external flange 112 to receive an O-ring 113. Or, the disc maybe provided with a seal lip similar to the seal lip 78.

The valve chamber disc 111 is provided with a pair of apertures, themargins of which form inturned flanges 114 dimensioned to receive thevalve seats 108 and restrain the shoulders 107 against upwarddisplacement. The flanges 114 join to semicylindrical walls 115 oflarger diameter but concentric therewith which form the extremities of aC-shaped mixing valve chamber 116, which encircles the center of thedisc 111 and leaving between the end walls a radial web 117 extendingfrom the center of the disc 111. The bottom of the chamber 116, at apoint from the axis of each flange 114 is intersected by an aperture 118aligned with the diverter valve cylinder 104.

The valve chamber disc 111 is covered with a lower valve guide disc 119,the periphery of which fits over a reduced upper end of the disc 111'and is provided with an external flange 120 confronting the flange 112.The disc 119 is also provided with a pair of valve guide bores 121aligned with the axes of the flanges 114 and the valve seats 108retained therein.

One side of the disc 119 is reduced in axial dimension except for a post122 and forms an outlet chamber 123, having outlets on either side ofthe post. The bottom of the outlet chamber is provided with an aperturein axial alignment with the aperture 118 forming, at its upper side, adiverter valve seat 124 and providing an outlet from the mixing valvechamber 116. The disc 119 is provided with a central bore which receivesthe tie sleeve 110.

Overlying the lower valve guide disc 119 except for the portion occupiedby the outlet chamber 123, is a diaphragm gasket 125 which is clampedagainst the disc 119 by an upper valve guide disc 126 covering theoutlet chamber 123. The disc 126 is provided with a central bore and thediaphragm gasket is perforated to receive the tie sleeve 110. The disc126 is provided with a pair of valve stem guide bores 127 aligned withthe valve guide bores 121.

The gasket 125 is provided with a pair of rolling diaphragms 128 whichare received in counterbored lower portions of the guide bores 127. Therolling diaphragms are intended to fold and terminate in sealing rings129 of reduced diameter.

The upper portion of the upper valve guide disc 126 is reduced indiameter to provide a ledge dimensioned to receive an O-ring 130; or,the upper periphery of the disc 126 may be provided with an integralseal lip similar to the seal lip 94. The upper surface of the disc 126is provided with a shallow recess 62 to receive the constrictedcylindrical portion 60 of the bottom component 49 of the journal ball48, and is surrounded by the shoulder 63, as in the construction shownin FIGS. 7 through 19.

The tie sleeve 110 is enlarged at its extremities to clamp the discs102, 111, 119 and 126 as well as the diaphragm gasket 125 in the mannerof the tie sleeve 73. Also, the replaceable cartridge 99 is secured inplace by a tie bolt 51a, similar to the bolt 51, except for length.

In order to orient the discs 102, 111, 119 and 126 with respect to thebase member 37 and the journal ball 48, the discs are provided with anaxially aligned set of bosses 131 and mating sockets or bores.

The replaceable cartridge is provided with a pair of valve members 85acorresponding to the valve members 85 of the previously describedembodiment. Each valve member 850 includes an elongated head 86a, guidedin a bore 121 and having a conical seal face 87a. A stem 88a extendsupwardly from the head 86a into the corresponding upper or valve stemguide bore 121, and is provided with a groove adjacent the head 86:: toreceive a sealing ring 129. The upper ends of the stems 88a are engagedby the push pins 97.

Received in the cylinder 104 and extending through the seat 124 is adiverter valve 132. The diverter valve includes a head 133 located abovethe seat 124 and engageable therewith. A stern 134 depends from the head133 and its lower end it provided with a grooved flange 135, whichreceives the con stricted upper end of a seal cup 136, having a seal lipextending into the cylinder 104.

Operation of the hot and cold water valves of the embodiment shown inFIGS. through is the same as the preceding structure shown in F168. 7through 19, except that the water from the mixing chamber 116 flowsthrough the diverter valve seat 124 and outlet chamber 123 into asecondary mixing chamber between the O-rings 113 and 130, the replaceable cartridge 99 and the hub structure 64a, and as in the previouslydescribed embodiment, discharge through the spout 66.

The diverter valve 132 functions in a conventional manner. The diverterpassage 100 is connected to a conventional spray device (not shown)having a normally closed control valve. When this valve is closed, backpressure below the seal cup 136 and the pressure differential across thediverter valve head 133 is sufficient to hold the diverter valve openfor discharge of water from the spout 66. When the valve in the spraydevice is open, the drop in pressure at the passage 100 is sufficient toclose the valve head 133 against its seat 124 and water flows around thecup 136.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of theconstructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces suchchanges, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and theirrelationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

Iclaim: 1. A mixing valve, comprising: a. a base member having a hotwater inlet and a cold water inlet intersecting its upper side anddefining parallel axes; b. a mixing valve cartridge mounted on said basemember and having a hot water valve assembly and a cold water valveassembly in axial alignment with corresponding inlets, and a laterallydirected outlet; c. a journal ball mounted on said cartridge anddefining at its juncture therewith a neck of reduced diameter; a valvecontrol means including a socket journaled on said ball and having apair of cam areas confronting said ball, and a peripheral stop camfacing the cartridge;

operating means extending from said valve assemblies through saidjournal ball and terminating in a cam follower element for each valveengageable with a corresponding cam area; and a spout structureincluding a hub fitting over said cartridge between said journal balland base member, an in ternal flange received in said neck, an annularstop shoulder confronting said stop cam for cooperation therewith tolimit movement of said valve control means, and a laterally directedspout for the discharge of water from said outlet. A mixing valve, asdefined in claim 1, wherein: said journal ball, cartridge and basemember share a common axis and said inlets, valve assemblies andoperating means define axes disposed in planes circumferentiallydisplaced approximately with respect to said common axis. A mixingvalve, as defined in claim 2, wherein: the axes of said cam followerelements are offset radially outward from the axes of said valveassemblies.

4. A mixing valve, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said base member also includes an outlet passage;

b. and said cartridge includes a second outlet communicating with saidoutlet passage, and a diverter valve operable to direct water to saidlateral outlet or to said second 0utlet.

5. A mixing valve and replaceable cartridge therefor, comprising:

a. a base member having a pair of spaced inlet passages;

b. a replaceable mixing valve cartridge sealingly mounted on said basemember and including a hot water valve assembly and a cold water valveassembly aligned with said passages, an outlet, a mixing chamberconnecting said valve assemblies with said outlet, and a central tubesealed from the interior of said cartridge;

c. a valve control means including a journal member mounted on saidcartridge, and means extending through said journal means for operatingsaid valve assemblies alternately or in unison;

d. and a single central securing means joining said journal member,cartridge and base member.

6. A mixing valve and replaceable cartridge therefor, as

defined in claim 5, wherein:

a. said valve assemblies are located on axes defining planes through theaxis of said securing means and relatively displaced approximately 120.

7. A mixing valve and replaceable cartridge therefor, as

defined in claim 6, wherein:

a. said cartridge is provided with a first and a second outlet;

b. and a diverter valve is interposed between said outlets.

8. A replaceable valve cartridge for a mixing valve structure having acavity formed between the inner and outer walls, the inner wall beingintersected by a pair of inlet ports, the outer wall being intersectedby a pair of valve bores opposite said inlet ports, said mixing valvealso including a control operable along the axes of said bores andhaving an outlet also intersecting said cavity, said cartridgecomprising:

a. a body structure fitting said cavity and defining a mixing chamber,inlet openings communicating between said chamber, and said inlet ports,and an outlet opening communicating between said chamber and said outletport;

b. valve seats forsaid inlefopenings, each valve seat having an axiallyyieldable peripheral portion responsive to fluid pressure at said inletport to urge said valve seat toward said mixing chamber;

c. a pair of diaphragm elements opposite said valve seats;

d. and a pair of valve elements within said mixing chamber includingheads engageable with said valve seats and stems sealed in saiddiaphragms and extending into said bores for operation by said control.

9. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8, which isadapted to be received in a mixing valve having a central securing meansand wherein:

a. said body structure is provided with a central tube isolated fromsaid mixing chamber and receives said securing means.

10. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 9,

wherein:

a. the axes of said valve elements are located in planes passing throughthe axis of said tube and are relatively displaced approximately 120.

11. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8, which isadapted to be received in a mixing valve having two outlet portsintersecting said cavity wherein:

a. said body structure defines outlet openings communicating with saidoutlet ports;

b. and a diverter valve is interposed between said outlet openings.

12. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8,

wherein:

a. said body structure is in the form of a hollow disc;

b. and seal discs cover the axial ends of the body structure, said sealdiscs being integral with said valve seats and said diaphragm elementsrespectively.

13. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8,

wherein:

a. each of said valve seats includes a radial rib whereby, in

the region of the rib, the valve seat is less yieldable.

14. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, comprising:

a. a first disc means having a pair of inlet apertures;

b. a second disc means having a pair of diaphragm apertures;

c. said disc means disposed in coaxial relation and definingtherebetween a mixing chamber having an outlet;

d. a valve gasket carried by said first disc means and including a pairof valve seats framed by said inlet apertures;

e. a diaphragm gasket carriedbysaid second disc means and including apair of diaphragms extending into said diaphragm openings;

f. and a pair of valves, including valve faces engageable with saidvalve seats, and valve stems extending through and sealed by saiddiaphragms.

15. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14,wherein:

a. at least said valve. gasket overlies an end of said cartridge to forma seal on installation in a mixing valve.

16. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14,wherein:

a. both of said gaskets overlie the distal sides of said disc means toform seals on installation in a mixing valve.

17. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14,wherein:

a. said mixing chamber outlet is directed radially;

b. and seal means surrounds said disc means at axially opposite sides ofsaid outlet to define in part a second mixing chamber.

18. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14,wherein:

a. said disc means includes guides for said valves;

b. and said second disc means includes a pair of disc members whichclamp said diaphragm gasket.

19. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim l 4,wherein:

a. said first disc means includes a pair of said (1156 members forminginlet chambers terminating at said inlet openings and forming shouldersbordering said openings;

b. and said valve gasket includes liners for said inlet chambers havingshoulders bordering said valve seats for exposure to upstream pressure.

20. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim l4,wherein:

a. said disc means define a central bore and a tubular securing meansextends through said bore and clamps said disc means and forms a boltguide.

21. A replaceable .mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim l4,wherein:

a. said mixing chamber is intersected by a pair of opposed outlets;

b. and a diverter valve traverses said mixing chamber and extends intosaid outlets.

1. A mixing valve, comprising: a. a base member having a hot water inletand a cold water inlet intersecting its upper side and defining parallelaxes; b. a mixing valve cartridge mounted on said base member and havinga hot water valve assembly and a cold water valve assembly in axialalignment with corresponding inlets, and a laterally directed outlet; c.a journal ball mounted on said cartridge and defining at its juncturetherewith a neck of reduced diameter; d. a valve control means includinga socket journaled on said ball and having a pair of cam areasconfronting said ball, and a peripheral stop cam facing the cartridge;e. operating means extending from said valve assemblies through saidjournal ball and terminating in a cam follower element for each valveengageable with a corresponding cam area; f. and a spout structureincluding a hub fitting over said cartridge between said journal balland base member, an internal flange received in said neck, an annularstop shoulder confronting said stop cam for cooperation therewith tolimit movement of said valve control means, and a laterally directedspout for the discharge of water from said outlet.
 2. A mixing valve, asdefined in claim 1, wherein: a. said journal ball, cartridge and basemember share a common axis and said inlets, valve assemblies andoperating means define axes disposEd in planes circumferentiallydisplaced approximately 120* with respect to said common axis.
 3. Amixing valve, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. the axes of said camfollower elements are offset radially outward from the axes of saidvalve assemblies.
 4. A mixing valve, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a.said base member also includes an outlet passage; b. and said cartridgeincludes a second outlet communicating with said outlet passage, and adiverter valve operable to direct water to said lateral outlet or tosaid second outlet.
 5. A mixing valve and replaceable cartridgetherefor, comprising: a. a base member having a pair of spaced inletpassages; b. a replaceable mixing valve cartridge sealingly mounted onsaid base member and including a hot water valve assembly and a coldwater valve assembly aligned with said passages, an outlet, a mixingchamber connecting said valve assemblies with said outlet, and a centraltube sealed from the interior of said cartridge; c. a valve controlmeans including a journal member mounted on said cartridge, and meansextending through said journal means for operating said valve assembliesalternately or in unison; d. and a single central securing means joiningsaid journal member, cartridge and base member.
 6. A mixing valve andreplaceable cartridge therefor, as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. saidvalve assemblies are located on axes defining planes through the axis ofsaid securing means and relatively displaced approximately 120*.
 7. Amixing valve and replaceable cartridge therefor, as defined in claim 6,wherein: a. said cartridge is provided with a first and a second outlet;b. and a diverter valve is interposed between said outlets.
 8. Areplaceable valve cartridge for a mixing valve structure having a cavityformed between the inner and outer walls, the inner wall beingintersected by a pair of inlet ports, the outer wall being intersectedby a pair of valve bores opposite said inlet ports, said mixing valvealso including a control operable along the axes of said bores andhaving an outlet also intersecting said cavity, said cartridgecomprising: a. a body structure fitting said cavity and defining amixing chamber, inlet openings communicating between said chamber, andsaid inlet ports, and an outlet opening communicating between saidchamber and said outlet port; b. valve seats for said inlet openings,each valve seat having an axially yieldable peripheral portionresponsive to fluid pressure at said inlet port to urge said valve seattoward said mixing chamber; c. a pair of diaphragm elements oppositesaid valve seats; d. and a pair of valve elements within said mixingchamber including heads engageable with said valve seats and stemssealed in said diaphragms and extending into said bores for operation bysaid control.
 9. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8,which is adapted to be received in a mixing valve having a centralsecuring means and wherein: a. said body structure is provided with acentral tube isolated from said mixing chamber and receives saidsecuring means.
 10. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim9, wherein: a. the axes of said valve elements are located in planespassing through the axis of said tube and are relatively displacedapproximately 120*.
 11. A replaceable valve cartridge, as defined inclaim 8, which is adapted to be received in a mixing valve having twooutlet ports intersecting said cavity wherein: a. said body structuredefines outlet openings communicating with said outlet ports; b. and adiverter valve is interposed between said outlet openings.
 12. Areplaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. saidbody structure is in the form of a hollow disc; b. and seal discs coverthe axial ends of the body structure, said seal discs being integralwith said valve seats and said diaphragm eleMents respectively.
 13. Areplaceable valve cartridge, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. each ofsaid valve seats includes a radial rib whereby, in the region of therib, the valve seat is less yieldable.
 14. A replaceable mixing valvecartridge, comprising: a. a first disc means having a pair of inletapertures; b. a second disc means having a pair of diaphragm apertures;c. said disc means disposed in coaxial relation and definingtherebetween a mixing chamber having an outlet; d. a valve gasketcarried by said first disc means and including a pair of valve seatsframed by said inlet apertures; e. a diaphragm gasket carried by saidsecond disc means and including a pair of diaphragms extending into saiddiaphragm openings; f. and a pair of valves, including valve facesengageable with said valve seats, and valve stems extending through andsealed by said diaphragms.
 15. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, asdefined in claim 14, wherein: a. at least said valve gasket overlies anend of said cartridge to form a seal on installation in a mixing valve.16. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14,wherein: a. both of said gaskets overlie the distal sides of said discmeans to form seals on installation in a mixing valve.
 17. A replaceablemixing valve cartridge, as defined in claim 14, wherein: a. said mixingchamber outlet is directed radially; b. and seal means surrounds saiddisc means at axially opposite sides of said outlet to define in part asecond mixing chamber.
 18. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, asdefined in claim 14, wherein: a. said disc means includes guides forsaid valves; b. and said second disc means includes a pair of discmembers which clamp said diaphragm gasket.
 19. A replaceable mixingvalve cartridge, as defined in claim 14, wherein: a. said first discmeans includes a pair of said disc members forming inlet chambersterminating at said inlet openings and forming shoulders bordering saidopenings; b. and said valve gasket includes liners for said inletchambers having shoulders bordering said valve seats for exposure toupstream pressure.
 20. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge, as definedin claim 14, wherein: a. said disc means define a central bore and atubular securing means extends through said bore and clamps said discmeans and forms a bolt guide.
 21. A replaceable mixing valve cartridge,as defined in claim 14, wherein: a. said mixing chamber is intersectedby a pair of opposed outlets; b. and a diverter valve traverses saidmixing chamber and extends into said outlets.